Bleacher Report - Ronda Rouseyhttp://bleacherreport.com/
Bleacher Report - The open source sports networken-us30Ronda Rousey's WWE Run Cements Her as Biggest Star in UFC HistoryJeremy Botter<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">If there were any doubts that Ronda Jean Rousey is the Ultimate Fighting Championship's biggest star (and perhaps its biggest-ever star), those notions were dispelled on Sunday.</p>
<p>As you may have heard by now, Rousey jumped the railing at WrestleMania and, side by side with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, appeared to set up a tag team match for next year's WrestleMania in Dallas: Rousey and The Rock vs. the real-life husband-and-wife power duo of Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Paul Levesque (Triple H's real name) and his wife are the future operators of World Wrestling Entertainment (provided Vince McMahon is not, in fact, immortal).</p>
<p>Already their fingerprints are being felt on the product, Rousey included. Even one year ago, the idea of a UFC champion being involved in what was essentially one of the two biggest angles on the WWE's biggest and most prideful show of the year was an unthinkable one.</p>
<p>But Rousey has reached a plateau that few, if any, UFC stars have ever reached.</p>
<p>She is a raging success in her own sport and might be the UFC's biggest pay-per-view draw. She is on the silver screen. She appears effortless on morning talk shows, charming hosts and viewers alike. She is the perfect billboard for advertisers seeking a total badass with a touch of elegance and class.</p>
<p>Her appearance at WrestleMania perfectly illustrates her popularity. Popular mixed martial artists have appeared on wrestling programs in the past. The usual response from wrestling fans is something along the lines of: Who is that person, and why is he here? Either that or almost total indifference, which is not the reaction the company was going for.</p>
<p>But not Rousey. When The Rock began walking toward Rousey's ringside seat, the sound of the crowd at Levi's Stadium totally changed. There was a buzz. And then it began, slowly, but picking up steam quickly as the audience realized what was about to happen: chants of "Ronda Rousey."</p>
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<p>And then Rock turned and smiled at Rousey, and she jumped over the railing, and the crowd went ballistic. Over the course of the next five minutes, one of the more surprising (and memorable) moments in WrestleMania history would unfold. This wasn't a wrestling crowd who was indifferent to Rousey. They all knew exactly who she was. They knew exactly what she was there for. And they knew exactly what they wanted to see: Rousey putting her signature armbar on McMahon.</p>
<p>Instead, we got something of a build for what will almost assuredly be a feature bout on next year's WrestleMania in Dallas. The promotion has a big stadium to fill. There are a lot of seats in Cowboys Stadium, and it'll be gunning for its all-time attendance record.</p>
<p>So Rousey did not armbar McMahon; instead, she hip-tossed Triple H (who do you think would win in a fight between Rousey and a Triple H?) and then used the same sort of armlock Jon Jones used on Glover Teixeira to dispose of McMahon. A moment was created, and the foundation for a future moment was poured out like cement.</p>
<p>And what of this? The fact that Rousey was the linchpin to all of this and not Johnson&mdash;one of Hollywood's biggest stars and a complete returning hero to all wrestling fans&mdash;absolutely revealed just how big of a star she has become.</p>
<p>Rousey has utterly transcended the UFC. She is not the world's biggest action-film star. Not yet, anyway. But she has nearly reached the threshold of being called a household name.</p>
<p>I tend to use my mother as a metric when determining how well-known a fighter is with non-fans, because my mother cannot stand violence and wouldn't watch a mixed martial arts fight if you forced her to. But she knows who <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey">Ronda Rousey</a> is, and she likes her, and she'll ask me from time to time about her upcoming fight, even though she has no intention of watching it.</p>
<p>If you pass the Mom test, you're a star. If you make 76,000 people in Levi's Stadium stand up and cheer your name, you're a star.</p>
<p>We already knew Rousey was the UFC's biggest star. We just didn't know by how much. But now, we have that answer: Nobody else is close. And she might just be the biggest star in the history of mixed martial arts, and that includes human money-making machine <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/brock-lesnar">Brock Lesnar</a>. Lesnar drew millions of wrestling fans to the UFC.</p>
<p>Rousey will pull mixed martial arts fans to the WWE. But she'll also have something of a reverse effect, bringing back the wrestling fans she gains in WWE back to the UFC.</p>
<p>And if she continues doing both, dabbling in wrestling while continuing to crush her competition with ease in the UFC, by the time next year's WrestleMania is over, there will be no doubt who is the biggest star in the history of mixed martial arts.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey" title="Ronda Rousey analysis, news and photos">Ronda Rousey</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 15:35:30 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415755-ronda-rouseys-wwe-run-cements-her-as-biggest-star-in-ufc-history
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415755-ronda-rouseys-wwe-run-cements-her-as-biggest-star-in-ufc-historyhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415755-ronda-rouseys-wwe-run-cements-her-as-biggest-star-in-ufc-historyMMAUFCOpinionCaged InRonda RouseyRonda Rousey Says She's 'Never Even Gotten a Bruise' from a Pro MMA FightScott Harris<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">As if we needed another metric on Ronda <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span>'s dominance in the <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/mma">MMA</a> cage.</p>
<p>What may be most telling about <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span>'s latest comments is how believable they sound. If any other UFC fighter claimed to never have sustained so much as a bruise in competition, the chuckles would be audible.</p>
<p>Not with <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span>. While discussing her career arc on Monday's edition of the ESPN talk show <em>Highly Questionable</em>, the reigning UFC women's bantamweight champ said&nbsp;she has essentially emerged unscathed from each of her 11 professional contests.</p>
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<p>"I haven't even gotten a bruise from getting hit yet," she told show hosts Dan <span class="spellcheck">Le <span class="spellcheck">Batard</span></span> and <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Bomani</span></span> Jones. "If it keeps going like that, I'll have a much longer career, but if I have a couple five-round wars, it'll be a lot shorter."</p>
<p>Understandably incredulous, <span class="spellcheck">Le <span class="spellcheck">Batard</span></span> immediately followed up.</p>
<p>"You haven't had a bruise?" he asked. "You haven't had a pain? You haven't had, like, in all of your fighting time, you literally haven't had a bruise? You're not exaggerating there?"</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span> responded with a slight clarification, noting that she had not had a bruise "from getting hit." She then noted that her most egregious injury to date was a cut she sustained on her knuckle after punching Alexis Davis. Her fight with Davis was over in 16 seconds.</p>
<p>Quick finishes are in no way unusual for <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span>, a fact that underscores what an unusual fighter she is. The 28-year-old is 11-0 as a pro and has only left the first round once, when rival <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Miesha</span></span> Tate took her to the third round in their 2013 rematch.</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span>'s five UFC contests have lasted a total of 17 minutes and 23 seconds, or a little more than three minutes per contest. For comparison's sake, a full five-round UFC title fight lasts 25 minutes.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In her most recent bout, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span> dispatched Cat <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Zingano</span></span>&nbsp;in 14 seconds.</p>
<p>You get the idea.</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span> is scheduled to fight again this August at UFC 190, where she is expected to take on Brazilian Bethe <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Correia</span></span>. It's a fight <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Correia</span></span> has repeatedly requested, in part through post-fight trash talk issued after defeating two of <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span>'s close friends and training partners, Jessamyn Duke and Shayna <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Baszler</span></span>.&nbsp;</p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span> is the early favorite to win that fight.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey" title="Ronda Rousey analysis, news and photos">Ronda Rousey</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Tue, 31 Mar 2015 11:00:07 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415228-ronda-rousey-says-shes-never-even-gotten-a-bruise-from-a-pro-mma-fight
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415228-ronda-rousey-says-shes-never-even-gotten-a-bruise-from-a-pro-mma-fighthttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2415228-ronda-rousey-says-shes-never-even-gotten-a-bruise-from-a-pro-mma-fightMMAUFCBreaking NewsRonda RouseyRonda Rousey Is a Great Choice to Lead Public Charge for MMA in New YorkRaphael Garcia<p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey">Ronda <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></span></span></span></a> is the hottest star in mixed martial arts today. Her star continues to grow as she crosses over from the Octagon to mainstream fame. Her appearance at <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WWE</span></span></span></span></span>&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/31/the-rock-ronda-rousey-surprise-appearance-wrestlemania-27247069">WrestleMania</a> proves just how recognizable she has become. It is that same fame that the UFC and <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/mma">MMA</a> as a whole should ride as the sport continues to fight for legality in New York.</p>
<p>New York continues to be the last great frontier for the sport of mixed martial arts. In 2015, MMA is still illegal and not regulated. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Zuffa</span></span></span></span></span> and the UFC have spent years working to change this fact, but due to circumstances beyond their control, they have been unable to break through to those with the power to make decisions.</p>
<p>However, the UFC may have a new weapon against those that speak out against the establishment of MMA in NYC. That weapon is <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></span></span></span> herself.</p>
<p>Recent reports have come out about <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></span></span></span> taking more of a central role in the growth of the sport.</p>
<p>According to Kenneth <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Lovett</span></span></span></span></span> of the <em><a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ufc-star-ronda-rousey-push-mma-state-assembly-article-1.2159091">New York Daily News</a></em>, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></span></span></span> spent time in the state to push politicians toward changing their perception of the sport.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I really want to make this a priority during my visit to New York,&rdquo; <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></span></span></span> said to the <em>New York Daily News</em> during an interview. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s pretty much ridiculous that MMA is not regulated here.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The effort to have MMA legalized has been a long and arduous fight. Legislation has passed part of the process in the past, only to continually be defeated before the ban can be lifted. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></span></span></span> feels that this year may be different.</p>
<p>"I really feel optimistic this year," <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></span></span></span> told <em>Good Morning America</em> host Robin Roberts (video via <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ronda-rousey--new-york-is--most-dangerous-place-in-the-u-s--to-do-mma-232327987-mma.html">Yahoo Sports</a>). &ldquo;I've talked to the governor. I feel like he's in our corner. It&rsquo;s passed six years in a row in the Senate [and] it&rsquo;s never been brought to a vote yet in the Assembly. I think it will this year.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The UFC and the sport of MMA as a whole would benefit by continuing to push <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></span></span></span> as the face of the entire community. Since moving over to the promotion in 2013, she has captured the attention of the mainstream media with every move she makes. She now has major films to her credit, coverage on major outlets such as ESPN and recently inked a new deal with the UFC (via <a href="http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bantamweight-Champion-Ronda-Rousey-Inks-New-MultiFight-UFC-Deal-83873"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Sherdog</span></span></span></span></span></a>). All of these steps continue to build her into the star that the sport needs.</p>
<p>As the face of MMA, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></span></span></span> can gain the coverage that the fight for legalization in NYC needs. Her fanbase continues to grow and currently, she has not put herself into any position in which negative publicity may follow. These advantages are exactly what should be leveraged by both <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></span></span></span> and the UFC.</p>
<p>Ronda <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></span></span></span> is becoming a household name. With appearances on WrestleMania, <em>Good Morning America</em> and major summer movies, MMA finally has a true face that the entire sports community can appreciate. This power makes her the go-to person to be the face of the sport's growth in NYC and beyond.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey" title="Ronda Rousey analysis, news and photos">Ronda Rousey</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Mon, 30 Mar 2015 09:48:50 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2413928-ronda-rousey-is-a-great-choice-to-lead-public-charge-for-mma-in-new-york
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2413928-ronda-rousey-is-a-great-choice-to-lead-public-charge-for-mma-in-new-yorkhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2413928-ronda-rousey-is-a-great-choice-to-lead-public-charge-for-mma-in-new-yorkMMAUFCOpinionRonda RouseyRonda Rousey Joining the Rock at WWE WrestleMania 31 Sparks Dana White ReactionTyler Conway<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">Less than a week after UFC President <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/dana-white">Dana White</a> watched Brock Lesnar spurn his offer in favor of staying with&nbsp;WWE, he was witness to his promotion's biggest star also stealing the sports-entertainment stage.&nbsp;</p>
<p>UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey appeared at Sunday's WrestleMania 31 program alongside The Rock in a confrontation with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Ringside with friends and family for most of the event, Rousey was called to the ring by The Rock after McMahon slapped The People's Champion in the face.</p>
<p>Unable to retaliate himself, The Rock recruited his&nbsp;<em>Furious 7&nbsp;</em>co-star from the stands to create a true WrestleMania moment. Rousey proceeded to toss Triple H over her shoulder and nearly break McMahon's arm en route to sending The Authority packing. White, who was watching the event in London, took to Twitter to discuss Rousey's performance:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Obviously, this was a worked situation in which everyone knew what was going on. There is no chance Rousey will suddenly join WWE&nbsp;and spurn her ascending MMA career. While Lesnar cited health as the main reason he chose sports-entertainment over the Octagon, Rousey is a 28-year-old who has not yet been tested in a UFC ring.&nbsp;She's in it with White for the long haul.</p>
<p><span>"I've told you many times how I work with Dana [White]," Rousey's agent, Brad Slater, told&nbsp;<a href="http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/3/29/8310083/ronda-rousey-judo-tosses-triple-h-beats-up-stephanie-mcmahon-at"><span>Ariel Helwani</span></a><span>&nbsp;of MMAFighting.com. "</span>I always, always call him and make sure he is OK with anything we ever do in movies, television and otherwise."</span></p>
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<p>The setup was merely a piece of fun cross-promotion for everyone involved. UFC gets to see Rousey's name alongside the deluge of WrestleMania headlines that are coming throughout the week. Rousey and The Rock get to look tough together while the announce team cuts a promo for&nbsp;<em>Furious 7</em>. And The Authority gets a comeuppance while creating a moment too big for the "real" sports world to ignore.</p>
<p>It's a win for everyone involved, something played on WrestleMania clips for years to come alongside appearances from Mike Tyson, Pete Rose and many others. That said, if Rousey&nbsp;<em>wants</em> to test her mettle inside the squared circle, I doubt anyone in WWE would hang up that phone call.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Follow Tyler Conway (<a href="https://twitter.com/tylerconway22">@tylerconway22</a>) on Twitter.</em></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey" title="Ronda Rousey analysis, news and photos">Ronda Rousey</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Mon, 30 Mar 2015 08:38:38 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2413863-ronda-rousey-joining-the-rock-at-wwe-wrestlemania-31-sparks-dana-white-reaction
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2413863-ronda-rousey-joining-the-rock-at-wwe-wrestlemania-31-sparks-dana-white-reactionhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2413863-ronda-rousey-joining-the-rock-at-wwe-wrestlemania-31-sparks-dana-white-reactionPro WrestlingWWEDana WhiteBreaking NewsRonda RouseyDana White: Cris Cyborg "Going to Try to Make 135 Pounds" for Next FightSteven Rondina<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">The epic saga of UFC women's bantamweight champion&nbsp;<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey">Ronda <span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></a> vs. former Strikeforce women's featherweight champion Cris "Cyborg" Justino continues following an interview between UFC President <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/dana-white">Dana White</a>&nbsp;and Toronto's CP24 news station. According to White, Cyborg will try to make the bantamweight division's 135-pound limit "for her next fight" (h/t <a href="http://mmajunkie.com/2015/03/dana-white-on-cyborg-shes-going-to-try-to-make-135-pounds-to-fight-ronda-rousey"><span class="spellcheck">MMAJunkie</span>.com's Mike <span class="spellcheck">Bohn</span></a>).</p>
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<p>The news comes a day after Cyborg and UFC brass <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/cris-cyborg-justino-is-signed-to-the-ufc-032615">confirmed</a> that the current <span class="spellcheck">Invicta</span> FC featherweight champion is currently under contract with the UFC. Despite never fighting for the promotion, the Brazilian striker represents one of the biggest names in women's <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/mma">MMA</a>&nbsp;and is easily the biggest potential opponent for <span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span>. That long-term value prompted the world's largest MMA promotion to sign the fighter to a deal on the hope that she will one day fight at bantamweight.</p>
<p>There have long been rumbles that <span class="spellcheck">Zuffa</span>, the UFC's parent company, was interested in signing a deal with Cyborg. In January, UFC CEO Lorenzo <span class="spellcheck">Fertitta</span> stated to <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/21727/ufc-ceo-interested-in-signing-cyborg">ESPN.com's Brett <span class="spellcheck">Okamoto</span></a> that the company was pursuing a deal with Cyborg, and, in the aftermath of <span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span>'s 14-second win over Cat <span class="spellcheck">Zingano</span> at UFC 184, White <a href="http://mmajunkie.com/2015/03/is-cristiane-cyborg-justino-signed-to-zuffa-dana-white-says-to-ask-lorenzo-fertitta">openly avoided questions</a> regarding Cyborg's relationship with <span class="spellcheck">Zuffa</span>.</p>
<p>However, while White flatly stated that her next fight will be at 135 pounds, that has not yet been confirmed or denied by either <span class="spellcheck">Invicta</span> FC or Cyborg's camp. The current plan, according to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/cris-cyborg-justino-is-signed-to-the-ufc-032615">Fox Sports' Elias <span class="spellcheck">Cepeda</span></a>, is to have Cyborg defend her <span class="spellcheck">Invicta</span> FC featherweight belt in July opposite a yet-to-be-named opponent, while <span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span> faces Bethe <span class="spellcheck">Correia</span> in August.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Either way, while Cyborg making bantamweight remains a huge hurdle, the bout is much closer to becoming a reality. Stick with Bleacher Report for more updates on this story as they become available.</p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey" title="Ronda Rousey analysis, news and photos">Ronda Rousey</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Fri, 27 Mar 2015 12:51:31 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2411257-dana-white-cris-cyborg-going-to-try-to-make-135-pounds-for-next-fight
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2411257-dana-white-cris-cyborg-going-to-try-to-make-135-pounds-for-next-fighthttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2411257-dana-white-cris-cyborg-going-to-try-to-make-135-pounds-for-next-fightMMAUFCBreaking NewsRonda RouseyRonda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg Potential Fight Discussed by Dana WhiteMike Chiari<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey">Ronda Rousey</a> has been an unstoppable force in UFC thus far, but she may face her biggest challenge yet in the near future if Cris "Cyborg" Justino adheres to UFC President <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/dana-white">Dana White</a>'s latest claim.&nbsp;</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://mmajunkie.com/2015/03/dana-white-on-cyborg-shes-going-to-try-to-make-135-pounds-to-fight-ronda-rousey?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter">Mike Bohn</a> of MMA Junkie, White revealed in an interview with Toronto's CP24 that the Invicta FC Women's Featherweight champion intends to drop down to bantamweight.</p>
<p><span>"For her next fight, she's going to try to make 135 pounds," White said.</span></p>
<p><span>It was reported Thursday by Combate (h/t<em>&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/cris-cyborg-justino-is-signed-to-the-ufc-032615">Elias Cepeda</a> of FoxSports.com) that Cyborg had signed a deal with UFC. Provided Justino is able to make the weight transition successfully, White sees a fight against Rousey in her future, per Bohn.</span></p>
<p><span><span>"If she successfully makes that weight and wins, then yeah, she can come in and fight Ronda," White said.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>This news comes on the heels of Rousey signing a new, multifight contract with UFC, according to Fox Sports: UFC:</span></span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span><span>Rousey must first get through Bethe Correia at UFC 190, and if the UFC women's bantamweight champion does that, perhaps Cyborg will be next.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Nobody has truly tested the 11-0 Rousey to this point, but Cyborg looks like the best bet to take her down at 13-1.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>There is no bigger potential fight in women's MMA right now<span>&mdash;and&nbsp;</span>perhaps in MMA in general<span>&mdash;</span>than a clash between Rousey and Cyborg.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>UFC fans want to see Rowdy get pushed to the limit, and Justino may be the only person capable of doing it.</span></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeChiari">@MikeChiari</a> on Twitter</em></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey" title="Ronda Rousey analysis, news and photos">Ronda Rousey</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Fri, 27 Mar 2015 11:24:02 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2411245-ronda-rousey-vs-cris-cyborg-potential-fight-discussed-by-dana-white
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2411245-ronda-rousey-vs-cris-cyborg-potential-fight-discussed-by-dana-whitehttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2411245-ronda-rousey-vs-cris-cyborg-potential-fight-discussed-by-dana-whiteMMABreaking NewsRonda RouseyRonda Rousey on 'Good Morning America': Biggest Takeaways from InterviewTim Daniels<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt="">UFC women's bantamweight champion <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey">Ronda Rousey</a> appeared on Thursday's <em>Good Morning America</em> for an interview with host Robin Roberts. She talked about the state of <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/mma">MMA</a> in New York and some misconceptions about the sport. &nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/3/26/8295233/ufc-ronda-rousey-good-morning-america-ny-fighting-not-anti-woman-statement-anti-feminist-mma-news" target="_blank">Karim Zidan</a> of Bloody Elbow passed along comments from Rousey about New York not allowing professional MMA events, including the UFC, to take place. She discussed the safety issues involved with the current approach taken by the state [sic]:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>MMA isn't actually banned.&nbsp;It is professional MMA that is banned. I think around 1600 New Yorkers competed in MMA in New York just this past year but only in amateur events. There is no athletic commission to do any sort of medical testing for them, no drug testing; the women that competed had no pregnancy tests, and even the referees aren't educated. It is the most dangerous place in the U.S. to do MMA. It anyone gets hurt, it will be on the politicians who didn't take steps to protect them.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Rousey also gave her thoughts about how women are viewed in the MMA world. She believes most of the outside arguments don't hold water:&nbsp;"There are so many ridiculous arguments that MMA is somehow anti-woman. Fighting is not a man's thing, it is a human thing. To say that it is anti-woman is an anti-feminist statement.&nbsp;I'm the biggest draw in the sport and I'm a woman. How is it anti-woman?"</p>
<p>Here's the complete interview, via The Entertainment Place:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p>Rousey has indeed become a major attraction for the UFC. She's one of the most dominant figures in sports with 11 straight victories to begin her career. All but one of those were achieved in the first round, and her last two fights lasted a combined 30 seconds.</p>
<p>Opening the door to fights in New York, especially New York City, would obviously be beneficial to the UFC. The Bloody Elbow report notes it's the only state that hasn't come up with an agreement to allow professional MMA.</p>
<p>Rousey is clearly trying to help bring change during her current media tour.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><font color="#000080"><font color="#000080"><a href="http://twitter.com/TimDanielsBR" target="_blank"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" border="1" alt="" width="160" height="27" align="bottom"></a></font></font></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey" title="Ronda Rousey analysis, news and photos">Ronda Rousey</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Thu, 26 Mar 2015 14:16:33 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2410303-ronda-rousey-on-good-morning-america-biggest-takeaways-from-interview
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2410303-ronda-rousey-on-good-morning-america-biggest-takeaways-from-interviewhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2410303-ronda-rousey-on-good-morning-america-biggest-takeaways-from-interviewMMABreaking NewsRonda RouseyRonda Rousey, UFC Agree on New Contract: Latest Details, Comments and ReactionMike Chiari<p class="ui-droppable"><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p class="ui-droppable">UFC women's bantamweight champion <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey">Ronda <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></a> is among the hottest commodities in all of sports, but the Octagon will continue to be her main focus for the foreseeable future. &nbsp;</p>
<p>According to Fox Sports: UFC on Twitter, the 28-year-old superstar has signed a long-term contract to remain with the UFC:</p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span> acknowledged the new deal Wednesday on ESPN's&nbsp;<em>First Take</em>, and she also discussed what it means in terms of potentially taking on other athletic endeavors.</p>
<p>"I'm a UFC fighter. I just renegotiated. I have a lot of fights that I have in the UFC before I would be able to go do anything else," she said, via<span>&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/ronda-rousey-signs-new-long-term-contract-with-the-ufc-032615?cmpid=tsmtw:fscom:ufconfox">Damon Martin</a><span>&nbsp;of <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">FoxSports</span></span>.com.</span></p>
<p><span>There has been some talk regarding <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span> dabbling in <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2015/03/24/ronda-rousey-laila-ali-boxing-match-antonieta-osuna-video/">boxing</a> or even <a href="http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/536167-ronda-rousey-talks-a-possible-wwe-run">professional wrestling</a> with <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">WWE</span></span> at some point, but the UFC ensured neither will happen for now.</span></p>
<p><span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span> is scheduled to headline UFC 190 in Brazil against Bethe <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Correia</span></span>, but the undefeated champ doesn't seem particularly concerned about her opponent, per Fox Sports: UFC:</span></p>
<p><img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif" alt=""></p>
<p><span>Rowdy has dominated the UFC ranks unlike any woman or man to ever grace the Octagon. Boredom setting in could be a concern, but it wasn't enough to prevent her from re-signing.</span></p>
<p><span><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span> is arguably the biggest draw in the UFC right now, and the company undoubtedly made a smart move by keeping her for the foreseeable future.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeChiari">@<span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">MikeChiari</span></span></a> on Twitter.</em></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey" title="Ronda Rousey analysis, news and photos">Ronda Rousey</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Thu, 26 Mar 2015 14:09:25 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2410299-ronda-rousey-ufc-agree-on-new-contract-latest-details-comments-and-reaction
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2410299-ronda-rousey-ufc-agree-on-new-contract-latest-details-comments-and-reactionhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2410299-ronda-rousey-ufc-agree-on-new-contract-latest-details-comments-and-reactionMMABreaking NewsRonda RouseyRonda Rousey Demonstrates Her Arm-Destroying Technique on Jimmy Fallon Dan Carson<img class="slot" src="/images/pixel.gif"><p class="ui-droppable">You may remember a video surfacing earlier this month of <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey">Ronda Rousey</a> compacting a web show host&rsquo;s ribs with a judo throw.</p><p class="ui-droppable">It is not a new video&mdash;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXvIjk8YJtI">at all</a>&mdash;but it made the <a href="http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/ronda-rousey-break-an-interviewers-ribs" target="_blank">blog</a> <a href="http://deadspin.com/watch-ronda-rousey-destroy-some-jamokes-ribcage-1689662941">rounds</a>&nbsp;and served as a poignant reminder that Rousey is always one twist of the hips away from pulping your ribs and groin into pink gazpacho.</p><p class="ui-droppable">With this in mind, let&rsquo;s turn to Tuesday&rsquo;s episode of<em> The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon</em>, where the judoka addressed the lack of formal oversight in amateur <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/mma">MMA</a> fighting and demonstrated how easily she could go about snapping Jimmy Fallon&rsquo;s arm.</p><p class="ui-droppable">Before the &ldquo;armbar&rdquo; demonstration began, Fallon locked in &ldquo;Rumpelstiltskin&rdquo; as his tap-out safe word&mdash;just in case.</p><p class="ui-droppable">&ldquo;Your arm doesn&rsquo;t go beyond 180 degrees,&rdquo; Rousey explained. &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t take a lot of pressure [to break it], you just push it right at the elbow joint.&rdquo;</p><p class="ui-droppable">Fallon tapped out quickly.</p><p class="ui-droppable">&ldquo;That was scary,&rdquo; Fallon said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s like putting your head in the lion&rsquo;s mouth.&rdquo;</p><p class="ui-droppable">Letting Rousey use you as a practice dummy/human rag doll is not in your best interest, guys. She is a portable Spanish torture chamber from the 16th-century Inquisition. She will break you.</p><p class="ui-droppable"><br></p><p class="ui-droppable"><em><a href="https://twitter.com/DrCarson73">Dan is on Twitter</a>. Everybody expects the Armbar Inquisition.</em></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey" title="Ronda Rousey analysis, news and photos">Ronda Rousey</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Wed, 25 Mar 2015 10:45:46 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2408690-ronda-rousey-demonstrates-her-arm-destroying-technique-on-jimmy-fallon
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2408690-ronda-rousey-demonstrates-her-arm-destroying-technique-on-jimmy-fallonhttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2408690-ronda-rousey-demonstrates-her-arm-destroying-technique-on-jimmy-fallonMMAOpinionRonda RouseyTrendingDana White Open to Ronda Rousey vs. Laila Ali Scrap, Tells Ali to 'Call Me' Hunter Homistek<p>The hypothetical bout between <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Laila</span></span> Ali, daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, and UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span> won't go away.&nbsp;</p>
<p>When Ali first <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paf_qFu_lPk" target="_blank">teased the bout with <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">TMZ</span></span></a> before hopping into the back seat of a Lincoln Town Car, discussions began to circulate.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Could Ali vs. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span> actually happen? Does Ali have a chance? Does&nbsp;<em><span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span></em>?&nbsp;</p>
<p>The showdown is silly, but it's persistent. I'm 99.9 percent sure it's never happening, but, as <a href="https://tinyirony.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/4lloyd-xmas-take-21.jpg?w=535&amp;h=330" target="_blank">Lloyd Christmas reminded me</a>, any chance is a chance worth getting excited about.&nbsp;</p>
<p>UFC President <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/dana-white">Dana White</a> recently caught up with <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">TMZ</span></span>, and he fueled the Ali vs. <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span> fire, saying that he's down to arrange the fight. He just needs Ali to pick up the phone and give him a buzz.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"I'm serious if she's serious," <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh0fQR-2SQk" target="_blank">White told <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">TMZ</span></span></a>. "Call me, <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Laila</span></span>."&nbsp;</p>
<p>When asked how the fight would go if it did ever happen, White was equally blunt. He doesn't like Ali's chances, and he thinks she'd go the way of <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span>'s past two opponents, Alexis Davis and Cat <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Zingano</span></span><span>&mdash;gone in under 20 seconds.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span>"Laila Ali would be in big trouble against <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span>," White said. "No disrespect to <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Laila</span></span>, (but) she'd be in the 14-second range. I know so."&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span>White is (probably) not wrong. There's always a puncher's chance in <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/mma">MMA</a>, and Ali's 24-0 professional boxing record is nothing to sneeze at.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span>Against <span class="spellcheck"><span class="spellcheck">Rousey</span></span> inside the UFC Octagon, though, Ali would be lost.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span>The UFC superstar has already proved her immense worth against other trained, top-level female mixed martial artists, and no one has come remotely close to ending her reign atop the 135-pound mountain.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span>She's in a class of her own, and Ali wouldn't be able to change that.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span>Still, if White pulled the right strings and this fight&nbsp;<em>actually did</em> happen, the inevitability of a quick finish certainly wouldn't stop me and millions of fans from plopping down on the couch and tuning the TV to the UFC's broadcast.&nbsp;</span></p><p>Read more <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ronda-rousey" title="Ronda Rousey analysis, news and photos">Ronda Rousey</a> news on BleacherReport.com</p>Tue, 24 Mar 2015 13:25:16 -0400http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2407695-dana-white-open-to-ronda-rousey-vs-lailia-ali-scrap-tells-ali-to-call-me
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2407695-dana-white-open-to-ronda-rousey-vs-lailia-ali-scrap-tells-ali-to-call-mehttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/2407695-dana-white-open-to-ronda-rousey-vs-lailia-ali-scrap-tells-ali-to-call-meMMADana WhiteUFCBreaking NewsRonda Rousey